While I hoped the City Council would have come to an understanding with the organization Thursday, I am not shocked by the outcome. This tired, less than tacit game of cat and mouse has been played out in front of the public for the last six years, and nothing really shocks me anymore: not Stu Sternberg’s explicit threats to ________________ (fill in the blank, like Mad-Libs) the team he uses as leverage, nor the city’s attempt to regain the leverage lost during the Bill Foster years.
Tag Archives: stadium saga
St. Pete City Council votes against Rays stadium deal (Re-posted from Bay News 9
I’m busy with a ton of stuff at the moment, so it is easier to re-post Fallon Silcox’s article on the failed stadium deal between the City of St. Pete and the Tampa Bay Rays. I’ll put something together shortly. In short, Noah Pransky (Shadow of the Stadium blog) put it best, the teams indication that they wouldn’t tweak the memorandum of understanding cost them yes votes. That is, the turning point in the meeting came when Rays President Brian Auld told the city council that St. Petersburg had to live up to terms of the use agreement regarding Tropicana Field redevelopment. What follows is the article in its entirety, followed by a smattering of notes.
Hot-Stove: The Tampa Bay Rays and the Elusive DH, Matt Joyce Traded, Wil Myers Trade Rumors
The Rays have traded outfielder Matt Joyce to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for RHPR Kevin Jepsen. Joyce has been a fan favorite, but he never lived up to the potential he showed in 2011 — his All-Star season. Since he hit for low batting averages, increased strikeout rates, and a drastic reduction in power. The projected $4.9M contract (after arbitration) wasn’t worth the risk for Silverman and the Rays.
How the Rays Are Playing Hardball…and Winning (Re-Posted From SOTS)
What St Pete may not realize is that it still holds all the cards in the Rays Stadium negotiations…and it could be the last time any city does for a very very long time.
Mayor Kriseman, Rays Announce Pending Stadium Deal
In a press conference at Tropicana Field Tuesday afternoon, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman laid out his plan to allow the Tampa Bay Rays explore new stadium sites in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, with the hope of not only keeping them in the region, but in St. Petersburg. Making good on his campaign promise of finding a resolution that would benefit both the team and the citizens of St. Petersburg, Kriseman’s “memorandum of understanding” would give the Rays three years to analyze possible sites in Hillsborough and Pinellas. In kind, Kriseman and his staff are committed to making an aggressive pitch for a new stadium at another St. Petersburg location (such as Carillon/Gateway), on the Tropicana Field acreage, or a complete renovation of the Trop itself.